How To Recover Data From SSD That Won’t Boot?

Summary: Recover data from SSD is somewhat more complicated than data recovery from HDDs. In this guide, we explain 4 recovery methods for how to recover data from SSD that won’t boot, including the one most likely to work: using Stellar’s industry-leading SSD data recovery service.

Table of Contents

1. SSD Not Booting How To Recover Data
2. Aren’t SSDs Supposed To Last Forever?
3. How To Recover Data From SSD
4. Why Is Stellar Data Recovery Software The Best Choice?
5. Prevention Is Better Than Cure

SSD Not Booting; How To Recover Data?

I have an HP desktop with 512 GB SSD. Suddenly it is not booting. The monitor comes on and the USB is functioning so the problem is not with the power supply (inside or outside). Please help – Dan McQuarrie

These messages are becoming increasingly common.

SSD or solid-state drive is a secondary non-volatile storage device. Non-volatile means it does not lose the data when shut off.

SSDs have increasingly replaced HDDs (hard disk drives) over the past few years as prices have dropped.

What to do if your SSD-equipped laptop or desktop does not boot? We share all the different ways how to recover data from SSD that won’t boot.

Aren’t SSDs Supposed To Last Forever?

Good question and most of us thought so. An SSD is a solid block of silicon. There are no moving parts. Nothing rotates or wears out.

But as it turns out, they do not have a 20-year lifespan. (Read more about SSD lifespan from Backblaze reports).

Quite surprising since I am still using a one GB USB drive purchased in 2007 with no complaint.

The reason SSDs wear out is that they have a limit on constant rewrites. If you are not careful it will quit and you have to recover data from the SSD.

We all thought HDD technology would die a natural death by now (like the PATA interface) but HDDs are alive and well.

Additional Reading: What makes SSD data recovery complex

How To Recover Data From SSD That Won’t Boot?

There is more than one way to recover data from an SSD.

We are discussing those cases where the PC does not boot at all.

1. Boot using Safe Mode

• Safe Mode is a way to start your computer without loading drivers. Safe Mode loads the Windows system files.
• Switch the PC off
• Switch the PC on
• As soon as you see the BIOS splash screen press F8.
• There will be a series of screens. Select Troubleshoot → Advanced Options as below

 

• Next select Startup Settings → Safe Mode by clicking F4 or 4

 

Note—

1. There are a variety of key combinations at this stage depending on the manufacturer and BIOS. F8 is the most common but by no means the only one. Consult the manufacturer’s website.
2. There are a variety of ways to boot into Safe Mode. This method applies to a dead SSD or unresponsive PC and trying to recover data from hard drive that won’t boot.

The PC will now load Windows in Safe Mode. Everything on the screen might appear larger because the graphics driver does not load.

You can connect to an external hard drive and copy the contents of your SSD. After the recovery of data from the SSD is over, consult someone who repairs PCs to pinpoint the cause of not booting. It could be a Windows failure or a corrupted driver or an SSD failure.

Additional Reading: Some Common Warning Signs of SSD Failure

2. Update SSD Firmware

A secondary storage media like HDD or SSD has its own operating system known as firmware. Firmware is also found in routers, smart devices, and electronic control units of vehicles.

You cannot update firmware if the PC is not booting. Open the desktop or laptop and remove the SSD from its bracket. It attaches with a few screws that are easy to loosen.

1. Fix the SSD to another desktop using SSD power and data cable.
2. Press Windows + X and click on Device Manager
3. Scroll to Disk Drives and expand the submenu (Device Manager would show two drives, e.g. Samsung MZ-75E1T0BW and Western Digital WD6004FZWX).
4. Select the correct one (Samsung, in this case, because it is an SSD while the Western Digital is an HDD).
5. Right-click and open Properties
6. Click on Update Driver

Now attach it to the original laptop or desktop and find out if it boots properly.

Additional Reading: Data recovery from failed SSD with firmware corruption

3. Transfer SSD Data

If the above fails, there is no option but to transfer data.

You need to remove the SSD from the original machine.

Now you need to attach it to a new machine.

There are two ways:

1. Use It As Internal Storage

• The first is to attach it inside through a SATA power and data cable (as above).
• After attaching, reboot the device. The SSD in question should show up as one or more partitions.
• Copy and paste the data to an external HDD or transfer it to the cloud.

2. Use It As External Storage

How To Connect?

Attach the SSD to the USB of the second PC or laptop using a SATA-to-USB converter.

These converters can be a simple cable priced at $4 or universal docking stations (~$40) that can accommodate HDD or SSD, laptop or desktop model, 2.5” or 3.5”.

For Desktop

 

For the Laptop

 

Universal Station

• If you are using cables, you might have to use a different one for power and data, depending on the type of SSD (the image for desktop has a power plug). Docking stations have their own power supply from mains.
• After you connect, the desktop or laptop should recognize it as an external USB drive.
• Copy and paste the data to another drive, or USB stick, or upload it to the cloud.

Note – Always use copy and paste and not cut and paste. Cut removes the data from the source. If something goes wrong, logical deletion happens.

4. Use Stellar Data Recovery Software

If an SSD has failed your only viable recourse might be to use data recovery software.

Stellar Data Recovery Software is the best option if your SSD has died or is on its last legs.

If you want to recover files from SSD that won’t boot, nothing works better than Stellar Data Recovery Software.

Why Is Stellar Data Recovery Software The Best Choice?

• Recover data from SSD with no fuss in 3 simple steps à Scan à Preview à Save.
• Retrieve every type of file—PDF, JPG, PNG, docs, spreadsheets, movie files, audio files, etc.
• If the SSD has been accidentally formatted or the file and folder deleted, Stellar Data Recovery Software can perfectly recover it.
• The Preview function lets you save time. Recover business documents first and images of the trip to Barbados later.
• Works with Windows (7 onwards) and Mac (10.11 onwards).
• One GB of data recovery is free, so you can take it for a test drive.
• If nothing works then take Stellar Data Recovery Services, they are present all over India. Stellar has 14 Branches that gives data recovery service in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Vashi, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Coimbatore, Noida, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon, and Bangalore.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Why let the drive deteriorate and have to recover data from the SSD?

Every SSD has a self-test mechanism. It is known as SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology).

Every so often the SSD uses SMART for a health checkup.

Several parameters are checked including:

• Read speed
• Write speed
• Read/Write errors
• Temperature and many more.

Based on these inputs one can easily understand if the drive is nearing the end of its life.

Stellar Drive Monitor is entirely free. It tells you all about the health of the disk without charging a cent. You would never have to face the issue related to SSD not booting how to recover data again.

Download this 100% safe and secure software and know in advance if your SSD is going to last or is close to the end of its life.